Bamboo

53 species of bamboo from 11 genera are estimated to be found in 73 districts across Nepal.
Bamboos are found in natural forest and farmlands. The estimated total growing stock of
bamboo is around 15 million cubic metre with an approximate biomass value of 1060 M. tons.
Bamboo covers an estimated area of 63,000 ha and 60% are in natural forests. Annual production
of bamboo culm is estimated at 3.01 million of which 2.64 is internally consumed and around
0.64 m. culms are exported to . On an average household consumption per year is 46 stems.
Around 102 M. tons of bamboo shoot is estimated to be annually produced for local
consumption. For centuries, Bamboos are used for construction, household appliances and food.
A large number of Bamboo based micro-enterprises are scattered throughout the country.
Traditional use of some of major Bamboos species is given below.

Local Name Scientific Name Major Uses

SN Local Name Scientific Name Major Use

scaffolding, storage bins,
1 Dhanu Bans B.balcooa
fencing, roofing etc
Tama/Choya bamboo shoots, weaving
2 D. Hamiltonii
Bans materials etc.
basketries, scafolding, low
3 Taru Bans B.tulda
quality woven products
construction including
4 Mal Bans B. nutans
bridges
5 Malingo Bans A. maling basket and furniture making
6 Kante Bans B. arundinacea construction of buildings
7 Kalo/Balu Bans D. hookerii weaving, construction, fodder
Kath/Lathi
8 D. strictus sticks and constructions
Bans
Drepanostachyam construction, mats, weaving,
9 Nigalo Bans
sp. fodder and sticks
10 Phosre Bans Dendrocalamus. sp. weaving and fodder
Thamanocalamus
11 Ringal Bans weaving and fodder
sp.
12 Leyas/Murali D. patellaris flute and weaving
 Koraincho fencing, construction,
13 Oxytenanthera sp.
Bans weaving
food for black bear and
14 Chigar Bans Thamnocalamus sp.
pheasants
construction, weaving,
15 Dhungre Bans D. giganteus
containers

ECONOMIC POTENTIAL O F BAMBOO

FOR THE TRADITIONAL BAMBOO USERS IN THE MODERN

ECONOMY

Nripal Adhikary

Abstract:

Bamboo has had a very historical and cultural association in Nepal, it is used in almost all
aspects of life from construction, marriage, death to livelihood. The use of bamboo however, has
been only subsistence, and the modern market for it is not well developed. With the growing
bamboo demand in the world, abundant availability of the resources, vast traditional
knowledgebase and cultural affinity of this material in Nepal, there is a tremendous potential for
it to contribute to the peoples livelihood. This paper focuses on how traditional bamboo users,
who amount to around 3.3 in Nepal alone, can be integrated in to the modern market.

Introduction

Bamboos prominent role in the traditional life of Nepal is well acknowledged. (Poudyal 2006,
Bista 2004, Das 2001, Karki et. at 1998, Storey 1990) From the untouchable Dalits castes to
the "high caste" Brahmins: bamboo is used in all aspects of life. (Bista, 2004 Das 2006) Eighty
one species (5.2% of the world species) belonging to 23 genera (24% of the world genera) are
found in Nepal. (Poudyal 2006) Nepal has both tropical bamboos found in the South-East Asia
and temperate bamboos found in Tibet and Bhutan. (Karki, et. at 1998)

Bamboo can be called the backbone of Nepals rural culture. It are eaten when they are young,
and the mature bamboo are be used for building houses. Since bamboos are lightweight, pliable
yet very strong, they can be brought into multiple uses. Most of the components of the houses
like walls, floors, roofs, furniture, scaffolding, ladders, fencing are made of bamboo. In the
remote villages footbridges are made using with bamboo poles tied with bamboo lashings. Most
of the utilitarian objects like milk jars, beer mugs, baskets, tools, fishing rods, raincoats, pots,
rattraps, pipes for irrigation, cradles yokes, winnows are made of bamboo. (Das, 2006) When the
babies are born they are put in kokro (bamboo hammocks) and the deads are carried away in
bamboo stretchers. Bamboo are necessary, because of their symbolic meaning during birth,
wedding and death rituals. Bamboo also provides entertainment for the young and the old, as
they sit in the village homes singing the folk songs in the tunes of bamboo flute. Bamboo is
ubiquitous in the Nepali culture and is used by men and women of all social groups.

Bamboo uses at different ages

<30 days it is good for eating tama
6-9 months for weaving baskets (doko, dalo, kokro, namlo, nanglo)
2-3 years for bamboo boards or laminations
3-6 years for construction of houses and bridges
>6 years bamboo gradually loses strength up to 12 years old

Bamboo in the political psyche.

Bamboo is classified under Non timber forest products (NTFP). 93 percent of the Nepali labor
force are rural based and they practice subsistence agriculture, (sharma 1989, Amatya and
Newman 1993), these people deal with NTFP in one or the other. In the Forestry Master Plan a
need to develop NTFP especially lokta paper and bamboo was recognized. Most of the users of
NTFPs tend to be the vulnerable sector of the community like women and the marginalized
group, since they are deprived of other sources of livelihood. It is estimated that about 3.3
million farming families are somehow involved with the bamboo sub sector either as producers
or users of bamboo based products (Pant 2006). If the bamboo and other NTFPS are developed it
can contribute much more to the regional and national economy.

However, the government has not considered bamboo and other NTFPs as important as other
sectors, because they were considered easily accessible, cheap and their potential to the regional
and national economy is not well understood. Their importance is put in periphery in order to
give priority to development of physical infrastructure supporting agriculture, tourism and
industry and hydropower industry. (Interim Plan 2007). Moreover, its not just NTFP, but
major forestry which government has considered to be its main resources is facing similar
problems. In the Nepali year 2061-2062, the Government allocated merely 1.5% of the overall
budget to the forestry sector. It is believed that the forestry sector in Nepal can earn up to 22.5
billion rupees annually which is about 18% of the National budget but presently it hasnt been
able to earn even 5% of it.

Despite Nepals geographical and cultural richness of bamboo, due to governments indifference,
lack of support for subsistence farmers, disorganized market, limited skills, bamboo based
economy only contributes 1-2% to the national GDP. (Karki et. at 1998) If wished 42 lakh ha of
land can give annual revenue of 22.5 billion just by selling wood and timber, but since the forests
under the control of the government, are not properly utilized Nepal looses an annual amount of
13 billion (World Bank 1994)
Actors

There are many actors in the bamboo sector, like small scale producers, large landowners,
intermediaries, craftspeople, urban entrepreneurs and urban costumers, NGOs, Government. This
paper will focus on how much small scale producers and craftspeople and can potentially
contribute to the burgeoning bamboo trade of Nepal and the world, which is estimated to be 14
billion dollars.

Producers

Small producers and gathers can be considered important player in the bamboo based activity. In
an average farm in East Nepal, average farmer has one or two bamboo clumps. (Karki et. al
1998) However, they are scattered and they are not able to supply in bulk. Their uses are
subsistence; their only sell in order to meet emergency cash needs and bamboo cultivation is not
done at the cost of food production. (Karki, et. at 1998) The return period for bamboo is three
years, and the there is not enough financial security for farmers to wait that long. Furthermore,
with their small land holdings, it is not feasible to do intercropping with other major crops. Their
bamboos are collected by the intermediaries, and most of the profits go to them. The small
producers are not able to participate in secondary processing because of low level of education,
low social status of bamboo craftsperson and traders, weak financial position, etc. - as well as the
lack of necessary knowledge, expertise and organization. (Karki, et. at 1998)

According to a research done by Karki et. al the land size is directly proportional to the amount
of bamboo plantation. It is usually the rich with large landholdings that that plant their bamboo
in their farms. It has been noted that people because of burgeoning demand for the bamboo in
urban market for scaffoldings and complicated land tenure policy, rich farmers are now planting
bamboo or practicing other kinds of agro-forestry instead of regular major crops like rice and
wheat. These harvesting techniques are however, unscientific and unsustainable, as they carried
out by contract laborers who do not have proper harvesting knowledge. (Karki, et. at 1998)

Karki et. al, observe that a new type of growers has come up in recent years - the user group.
Forest lands, which till recently belonged to the government, have now been handed over to
these community-based groups with full use rights and privileges. These organized groups have
the potential to become a major players in bamboo production since their holding sizes are fairly
large.

It is also suggested that the small cultivator and crafts people be given degraded land as
Leasehold Forestry so they can plant bamboo, which will have the dual benefit of land
management and income generation.

Craftspeople

Most of the marginalized people like magar, chepangs, tharus, dalits (esp. doms and dushads,
mushahars) etc. are involved in bamboo crafts.
Doms usually make changera, chalani, dhakki, bhakari, fan and other decorative and utilitarian
items. Usually a dom family has a traditional right to stay in a community, and this right can
be even sold to another dom community, when they decide to leave. Furthermore, every year
around the festive season of, October-November, they visit their client villages and make
various products out of bamboo. These traditional craft workers are paid a daily wage of Rs. 50
plus three meals. They make storage bins (Bhakaris) for which the charges vary according to the
sizes (approx. Rs. 2/kg.)These artisans usually stay for l0-15 days in a particular village before
shifting operation to the next village. (Karki et. al 1998)

In the modern market, the influx of cheap plastic materials has taken away their source of
income from them and it has pushed them further more into poverty. Since they are of lower
caste, its hard for them to switch into another occupation. Furthermore, they do not have land.
Only 5% of dome have about 1-10 kattha land. Due to lower education they are excluded from
state mechanism. They are not allowed to open restaurants or sell milk products, because it is
considered impure. They have forced to take up low paid unskilled labor jobs. (Marik 2003)

For the subsistence farmers or landless dalits, (and even fully dedicated bamboo craftspeople like
domes, dushads, chepangs, magars etc.) due to insufficient land holding and seasonal cycles,
bamboo craft is not a full-time activity; it is seasonal and need-driven. Bamboo craft gives them
extra income during dry seasons and can provide considerable security in the event of any
calamity (failure of monsoon, pest attack, storms, epidemics, etc.) According to a study done by
Karki et. al, 1997 Suri tribe where a whole family, up to 5 members, are engaged in making
bamboo products like bhakara, daliya etc. make about mere Rs. 30/day/person.

Bamboo and the modern market.

It has been shown that the uses and extraction of NTFPs in general, are pronounced among
impoverished class and declines as the household income increases. Gunatilake, Senaratne and
Abeygunawardena (1993) quoted in Daniggelis 1997) More so can be said of bamboo, as the
influx of modern plastic and construction material are displacing bamboo from its historical uses.
But as the modern market study shows, a new market is emerging in urban areas for handmade
utilitarian and decorative objects. In housing sector, an interest is growing for low cost annexes,
restaurants, weekend homes and even residential homes. In this burgeoning market, a transition
for of traditional bamboo craftspeople to the modern bamboo sector can be relatively easy (and
necessary), provided adequate organization, marketing skills, additional knowledgebase and
proper policies are provided.

Furthermore, the interest in modern market does not require intensive technology, but it needs
more design skills and new craftsmanship and institutional support. On the contrary In
Nepal, the high technology intensive bamboo endeavors like plywood and parqueting industry
suffered a setback, because it is unable to compete with cheap Chinese and Indian plywood and
parquets and the price of bamboo lamination is more then wood products. Keeping historical
uses of bamboo in mind, Nepal can make a swifter and more effective transition to crafts based
bamboo industries than a technology based.

Household Items
Bamboo products do not have to be limited to old objects like doko dalo, kokro, mandro, nanglo,
many new expressions of the old material can be found for the modern users like- Hammocks,
umbrella, furniture, wine bottles, folders, baskets, boxes, carpets, curtains, cushions, mousepads,
lampsheds, cups, bags, jackets, key chains and housing. These materials are low technology
intensive, so a transition for the traditional bamboo weavers can be swift and less expensive.
Most importantly the economic benefit will be more equitable, and it is in sync with the
historical and cultural practices.

In a market study done by Shrestha et. al in the markets of kathmandu it had been noticed that
the maximum number of bamboo are handcrafted household items. The handcrafted bamboo
accounted for about 75 % of the current market need. The study showed that most of the
products that were purchased did not require extensive bamboo processing, and the costumers
were more interested in final finishing and followed by design, raw material, product design
and durability in the second place. Prices seem to have only moderate consideration for the
buyers.

On the supply study done among the urban entrepreneur by Pant of GTZ, its was found that there
are lots of request for new products and their demand could not be adequately addressed. Many
of the entrepreneurs are working in isolation and there is no collaboration between them. The
industry is experiencing inertia due to lack of inventiveness, technology and research and
development. On the supply side the raw materials are not delivered on time.

Therefore, a broader alliance is required that can bring modern and traditional users, producers
and craftspeople, policy makers and researchers to start a broader dialogue so that it can a new
modern, efficient market can be established in Nepal that can compete in the global market.
Bamboo has a historical and cultural signification, and with a small development in the existing
knowledge base, proper management, financial incentives, and appropriate government policies
bamboo sector can boom very well in Nepal

CONCLUSION:

In Nepal, the forest debate has centered around commercial versus the subsitence value of the
forests. It is however suggested that the forest products and policies have to be considered in the
following framework. Appasamy (1993) and Daniggelis 1997

1. Ecological Functions of forests, watersheds and preservation of biodiversity.

2. Subsistence Functions: NTFP used by rural and tribal communities.
3. Development Functions: supplying timber and wood products for the the industrial sector
and medicinal plants for the industrial seccotr and medicinal plants for export.
4. Cultural function including religious (Daniggelis 1997)

With my experience as an entrepreneur and an architect working with bamboo I believe, NTFP,
especially bamboo can provide further two more functions.
5. Economic:

Bamboo market in Nepal is estimated at around NPR 1 Billion where 25,000 plus families from
excluded/ethnic groups are involved in bamboo related livelihood activities in Eastern Nepal
alone. Additionally, 3.3 million farming families are somehow involved with the bamboo sub
sector either as producers or users of bamboo based products. Bamboo has various advantages
such as it has potential to create rural employment; it is environmentally friendly, cheap and
abundant. Global bamboo economy is also estimated to be 14 billion dollars. With rich variety of
bamboo species (from the tropical species of South-east asia to the temperate species of Tibet)
bamboo sector in Nepal can play a very prominent role in eradicating poverty.

6. Housing:

In the traditional Nepali houses, almost all the components (like walls, floors, roof, doors,
windows, stairs) were built with bamboo. Bamboo is lighter in density then steel, but it can be as
strong as mild steel in terms of strength. In the last 10 years, there has been emerging interest in
the field of bamboo housing in many parts of the globe. Nepal can enhance its existing skill so
that it can materialize on the growing global material for this versatile material.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The above study shows a detailed overview of bamboo policies, producers craftspeople and
current situation of the urban entrepreneurs in Nepal. It is shown that bamboo has a very strong
cultural association in Nepali culture, but these traditional users of bamboo have not been able to
make a smooth transition to the modern economy and furthermore, urban entrepreneurs are
working in isolation and they lack proper co-ordination between each other. Furthermore, the
entrepreneurs are facing inertia due to lack of new design ideas, skills, market and raw material
supply.

From the study, it is recommended that urgently a larger association of bamboo users needs to
be formed that

1. incorporates both rural producers and craftsmen as well as urban entrepreneur, so that a
synergy is created between the various actors including policy makers, NGOs and
financial institutions.
2. organizes mechanism to update new skills and technology so that it can compete in the
national and the international market.
3. lobbies for better government policies that safeguard traditional bamboo and other NTFP
users against influx of new materials and provide financial and legal protection so that the
fair share of profit reaches the appropriate person rather then the intermediaries.
4. lobbies for acquition of degraded land for the small or landless producers, so they can
manage the degraded land and generate income from it.
5. advocate use of bamboo for construction as it is economical, ecological, durable and it
supports local labor, material and the regional economy.
The bamboo world trade is estimated to be $14 billion and estimated 3.3 million in Nepal alone
are known to be using bamboo. The bamboo users are usually from excluded groups, who are
facing difficult time moving into the modern economy. With appropriate government policy and
private initiative, bamboo sector can be developed as a mechanism to end the rural poverty.
Furthermore, its development will be in sync with historical and cultural practices, and it seems
very advisable that proactive measures are taken to develop this sector.

Bibliography:

Bista, Dor Bahadur 2004. People of Nepal. Ratna Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu Nepal

Bajracharya, Deepak 1983. Deofrestation in the food/fuel context, historical and political
perspectives from Nepal. Mountain Research and development 3(3):227-240

Das, Annapurna Dr. Bamboo: Specieis for Economic Prosperity, Environmental Conservation
and Rural Development in Nepal Bamboo Update: Res Nepal Vol.2 No.1

Daniggelis, Ephrosine. Hidden wealth: the survival strategy of Foraging Farmers in the Upper
Arun Vallery, Eastern Nepal. Mandala Book Point, Kathmandu, Nepal. 1997

deBeer, Jenne H. and Melanie J. McDermott 1989. The Economic calue of Non-Timber Forest
Products in Southeast Asia with Emphasis on Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Amsterdam:
Netherlands Committee for IUCM

Gunatilleke, H.M., Senaratne, D.M.A.H, and P. Abetgybawardeba, 1993. Role of non-timber

forests products in the economy of peripeheral communities of Knuckles national wilderness
area of Sri Lanka: a farming systems approach. Economic Botany 47(3): 275-281

Karki, B. Madhav, Sherchan R. Gopal, Karki, Jay Bahadur S. 1997 Extensive Bamboo
Production to Consumption in Eastern Nepal: a case study. Inbar working paper No. 17 INBAR

Marik Yukti Lal 2003 Dom Jati (Dom Ethnic Groups) Tarai ka dalit eewom mahila. Women and
dalits of Terai. Center for economic and technical studies, kathmandu, Nepal

Pant, Anupa 2006 A. Accessing Competitiveness of Bamboo Sub Sector GTZ PSP/RUFIN
February 2006

Poudyal, Punya Bans ko sitcha. (Education on Bamboo) Swayambhu Environmental Education

171-202 Swayambhu Printing Press, Swayambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal

Shrestha, Bigendra Lal Ed. 2006 Perception on Bamboo in Nepal. Graduate Student Work ACE
School of Management

Storey Peter. 1990 Bamboo: A valuable crop for the Hills. HASP Tansen
Distribution and status of bamboos in Nepal - Keshab Shrestha

Reader, Natural History Museum, Tribhuvan University, Swayambhu, Kathmandu, Nepal

Introduction

Nepal is mountainous country in Asia, and occupies only 0.09% of the total land surface of the
earth. The country is well known for its natural beauty and great cultural heritage. Nepal has
varied climatic conditions from the hot Gangetic plain to the world's highest peak. The country is
also very rich in biodiversity. With land area of 143 000 km2, the country is endowed with more
than 6000 species of flowering plants including 30 bamboo species. Bamboo is important and
popular in Nepal. The knowledge on bamboos regarding botanical identification is inadequate
and their management is poorly understood. The publication of Bamboos of Nepal in 1994 by
Chris Stapleton, brought many details up to date. Many other species remain yet undiscovered,
mostly in less accessible parts of the country.

Bamboos are abundant in eastern, central and western parts of Nepal. Far western regions of
Nepal are yet to be explored. Bamboos of Nepal have variable vernacular names. Shrestha
(1989) classified Nepalese bamboo, on the basis of perception of local people into 1) large
statured bamboo and 2) smalls statured bamboo. Large-statured bamboos are mainly
distributed in lowland and mid-hills whereas small-statured bamboos are distributed in high
mountains.

Presently, the Department of Forest and Tribhuvan University are actively conducting research
on bamboos in Nepal. Department of Plant Resources is conducting research on tissue culture
of bamboo plants such as Bambusa and Dendrocalamus sp. as they thrive in hot climates and
in poor soil (Das 1988). Mass production of local bamboos through tissue culture has been
demonstrated. People of Nepal practice vegetative propagation through rhizome and nodal
cuttings in lowland and mid-hills, and mostly the big diameter ones are cultivated.

Methods

Bamboo distribution and their status in Nepal has been reviewed in this paper (Stapleton 1994;
Das 1988; Shrestha 1989; Paudyal 1992). A case study conducted in mid western Nepal by the
author is also included.

Distribution of bamboos

Bamboos are distributed widely throughout Nepal. They are found in the natural forest in
association with other species, but they are very much planted around villages and on private
land. Small bamboos, at high altitudes, reach the timber line where snow fall is the natural
phenomenon. In mixed forest of oak, hemlock, fir, Rhododendron or in the mixed forest of laurel,
acer, birch as well as in evergreen forest, small-statured bamboos are widely distributed up to
far west part of Nepal. Table 1 shows the distribution of both the small and large-statured
bamboos.

Table 1. Bamboo distribution and present status

Species (Local name) Eastern Central Western Midwestern Status


Ampelocalamus patellaris
(Nibba, Ghopi bans, Lyas bans)
Syn. Sinurindinaria jainiana
Arundinaria bamboos
Bambusa arundinacea
B. balcooa
(Dhanubans, Ban bans)
B. glaucescens var. solida
(Syn. B. multiplex)
B. multiplex
(Chinese hedge bamboo)
B. nepalensis
(Tamabans, Phusure bans)
B. nutans subsp. Nutans
(Tharubans, Sate bans)
B. nutans subsp. cupulata
(Malbans)
B. tulda
(Kada bans, Karaicho bans, Chab
bans)
B. vulgaris
B. vulgaris form Kimmei
B. almaii
(Mugibans)
Borinda chigar
(Chigar)
B. emeryi
(Kalo nigalo)
Cephalostachyum latifolium
Nepal
* * Not so common, between
1200-1800 m, used for
weaving, construction and
flutes
* Rare, above 2900 m,
browsed by yak and wild
animals, make arrows,
brushes and straws.
+ # Not so common, upto 1000
m, used for construction
purpose.
* # Common, upto 1600 m, used
for poles, scaffolding,
weaving, house wall, beams,
erosion control.
# Recently introduced in
garden.
* Introduced from China,
commonly planted in
Kathmandu used for weaving
and hedges.
* * * Common, upto 1500 m, used
for construction, weaving,
shoot edible, a multi purpose
species.
* * # Common in the hills from
1000-1500 m, not found in
terai, used for construction,
weaving, poles.
* * # Common upto 1500 m for
weaving, poles, fodder.
* # A rare bamboo in Nepal,
upto 1000 m for construction,
fodder.
+ + Rare upto 1200 m, used for
house construction,
ornamental, introduced in
garden.
# Ornamental, recently
introduced.
* # Cultivated, in eastern Nepal
for weaving, upto 1000 m,
popular in Terai.
Not so common, found
between 2600-3100 m, used
for weaving and shelter for
wild animals, rodents, birds.
* A rare species, used for
weaving, from 2600-3200m.
A rare species, used for
(Syn. Schizostachyum latifolium) weaving and to make flutes,
(Ghopi) bans, Murali bans) fodder, between 1500-
2000m.
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii * * * # Common, semi-cultivated
(Choya bans, Ban bans) upto 1500 m, used for
weaving, shoot rarely eaten,
fodder.
D. hookeri * Common, cultivated species
(Kalo, Bhalu bans) 1200-2000 m, shoot edible,
fodder, culm for roofing,
construction.
D. giganteus * Few and mostly in eastern
(Dhungre bans, Rachhasi bans) Nepal upto 1000 m, used for
support and container.
D. strictus # Below 1000 m, becoming
(Latthi bans) rare, used for paper pulp,
construction.
Drepanostachyum falcatum * # Common, between 1000-
(Tite nigalo, diu nigalo) 2000 m, used for weaving
(Syn. Sinarundinaria falcata) and fodder.
D. intermedium * Common between 1000-
(Tite nigalo) (Syn. S. intermedia) 2000 m, used for weaving
and fodder.
D. khasianum ' # Common, between 1000-
(Ban nigalo) (Syn. S. Jainiana) 2000 m, used as fodder.
Himalayacalamus brevinodus * Common between 1800-
(Malinge nigalo) 2200 m, used for weaving,
shoot edible and fodder.
H. cupreus * Common, between 2300-
2800 m, used for weaving.
H. fimbriatus * * Common, between 1000-
(Tite nigalo) 1800 m, used for weaving
and fodder.
H. porcatus * Rare, between 2000-2300m.
(Seto nigalo)
H. hookerianus * Common between, 2000-
(Padang) 2500 m, used for weaving
and fodder.
H. falconeri * * Common, between 2000-
(Thudi nigalo, Singhane) 2500 m, used for weaving,
shoot edible.
H. asper * * # Rare, between 1800-2300 m
(Ghumre nigalo, Malinge nigalo) used for weaving.
Melocanna baccifera * * Common upto 1400 m, used
(Lahure bans) for construction and
weaving.
Phyllostachys nigra # Common, garden species in
(Nigalo, Kalo nigalo) Kathmandu, young shoot
edible.
Pleioblastus sp. # Introduced in Kathmandu
potted plant.
Sasa megalophylla
Thamnocalamus spathiflorus
(Rato nigalo)
T. spathiflorus subsp. Nepalensis
(Jarbuto)
Yushania maling
(Malingo, Khosre malingo)
Y. microphylla
(Mailing, malingo)
* based on Stapleton (1994)
# based on author's observation.
+ based on Das (1988).
# Recently introduced in
garden in Kathmandu.
* Common, from 2800-3500
m, not commonly used but
eaten by wild animals like
red panda, bears, birds,
shelter, for domestic
animals.
* * Common, from 2800-3500
m, used as fodder by wild
and domestic animals,
shelter for birds, monkeys
and rodents.
* Common, between 1600-
3000 m, used for fencing,
brushes.
* * Rare, between 2300-3500 m,
browsed by yak and wild
animals.

From the above table it can be seen that 9 species such as Dendrocalamus giganteus, D.
hookeri, Borinda emeryi, Cephalostachyum latifolium, Drepanostachyum intermedium,
Himalayacalamus brevinodus, H. hookerianus, Yushania maling and Arundinaria racemosa are
distributed only in eastern Nepal. Eastern Nepal possesses 22 species of bamboo whereas 24,
12 and 9 species are found in central, western and mid-western Nepal respectively. Far western
Nepal has not been explored properly. Large-statured bamboos are found mostly below 1000
m. They are Bambusa balcooa, B. nutans, B. nepalensis, B. tulda, Dendrocalamus hamiltonii, D.
hookeri, D. strictus, Ampelocalamus patellaris, Meloccana baccifera whereas mostly small-
statured bamboo or nigalo are distributed above 1400 m. Eight species of bamboo, Borinda
chigar, B. emeryi, Cephalostachyum latifolium, Himalayacalamus asper, H. porcatus, Yushania
microphylla, Arundinaria racemosa, Bambusa tulda, are getting rare in Nepal.

Ornamental bamboos are grown in gardens: Bambusa multiplex, B. multiplex var. striata,
Phyllostachys nigra, Sasa megalophylla, Himalayacalamus fimbriatus and H.
brevinodus Manandhar (1996) surveyed bamboo distribution in many parts of Kathmandu valley
and reported five genera and 16 species. They are mostly planted by local people for economic
as well as for ornamental purpose. Five species have been reported from Pokhara area by
Acharya (1988) which needs further revision. Studies on the regional distribution of bamboos on
Nepal is very limited.

Uses of bamboo in mid-western Nepal

The study area in mid-western Nepal includes Achham, Bajura and Kalikot districts (Fig. 1). In
this area, the large-statured bamboo are used mainly for construction purposes such as house,
pole, roof, netting, ceiling, lattice, scaffolding, house walls, beams etc. They are also used for
ladder, fencing, leaves as fodder, firework, arrow and bow for hunting, fishing, roads and
bridges. Villagers grow bamboos near their houses and bamboos are indispensable in their
daily lives.

Fig. 1. Map of Nepal showing the studied area.

In upper mid-western parts small statured bamboo are called nigalo, (Drepanostachyum
khasianum) malingo (Himalayacalamus asper) nigalo and Diu (Drepanostachyum falcatum).
Drepanostachyum khasianum and Himalayacalamus asper are very much used for various
purposes (Table 2).

Table 2. Uses of bamboos in mid-western Nepal

Bamboos type - local names

Large statured Small statured

Item Banbans Ghar Kada Bans Tite Malingo Bans

bans bans nigale nigale nigalo
Food - * * * *
Fodder * * * * * * *
Construction * * * * - - -
Ghum - - - - * * *
Madami basket - - - - * * *
Namlo (Topri) - - - - * * *
Doko - * * - * * *
Dalo - * * - * * *
Mat - * * - * * *
Firewood * * * * * * *
Game (Dhanus) * - - * - - -
Kuru - * - - * * *
Supo - * - - * * *
Chhapro - * - - * * *
Dhanukad - - - - - - *
Jolelo - - - - * * *
Kotha - - - - * * *
Modan and bad in - - - - * * *
Charkha

Materials mentioned in Table 2 are shown in Fig. 2 are prepared mostly by women with great
skill and they earn substantial return. Ghum is used for umbrella using small-statured bamboos.
Nambo is a head strap used for carrying heavy baskets (doko). Dalo is a big container for grain
storage, jalelo is used for carrying small items such as potatoes, tomatoes etc. Kuru is long and
narrow baskets used by fisherman to carry fishes, supo is a flat tray used for dusting grains,
chhapro is a basket used to contain food items. The owners of workshops of Dhanus put them
in front of their house to please Lord Shiva. This Dhanus is weapon used for hunting wild
animals and birds by the owner. The arrow (dhanukad) is made up of Deul. Bamboo handicraft
skills are traditionally acquired by the people of mid-western Nepal. If they are further trained,
better varieties and durable articles can be produced for improving their economy.

Bamboo ecology in mid-western Nepal

Among the districts surveyed, Achham is found to be highly populated area with small-statured
bamboo. Bajura and Kalikot districts are thinly populated with bamboos. Many bamboos died
after flowering some 5 years ago. The villagers believe that the population would regrow after
some years. In Achham above 2000-3000 m, the area is covered by forest of conifers, oak,
laurels (evergreen) and deciduous maple forest. In the open area where trees are thin, small-
statured bamboos are dense; damp bamboo places are also covered by bamboo. Fire plays an
important role in bamboo growth, so people do not hesitate to set fire during dry season. They
also believe that regular cutting of bamboos for their domestic need also promotes good growth,
if not harvested regularly the bamboo population decreases.

During the present study, field quadrats of 3 X 3 m were set and number of culms per quadrat
was counted. Other associated species were also recorded.

Table 3. Distribution of culms and other species

Quadrat No. of culms Other species

1. 171 Ferns, Daphne, Ilex, Hedera, Prinsepia, Rubia, Jasminum
2. 160 Ilex, Prunus, Hedera, Berberis, Viburnum
3. 145 Oak, Maple, Daphne, Hedera, Viburnum
3. 148 Berberis, Prunus, Rhododendron, Tsuga
5. 150 Rhododendron, Oak, Viburnum, Maple, Daphne, Ferns

Some lake areas are rich with bamboos and other associated species and details are presented
in Table 4.

Table 4. Bamboo and associated vegetation around lakes in Rama-Roshan area

S. Name of Size Bamboo species Other plants

No. Lake in ha.
1. Banda 2.0 - Alnus, Benthamitida, Pines.
2. Dalyan - Drepanostachyum falcatum Mahonia, Ribes, Corydalis, Plantago, Acorus,
Viburnum.
3. Rama 1.0 - Viburnum, Prinsepia, Neolitsea, Tsuga, Oak.
4. Dhanue 0.5 D. falcatum Tsuga, Piptanthus, Rumex Calanthe,
Rhododendron.
5. Majha 0.5 D. falcatum Ilex, Daphne, Berberis Pyrscantha, Shimmia.
Dhanue
6. Batule 2.5 D. falcatum Rumex, Neolitsea, Tsuga, Abies, Quercus,
Shimmia.
7. Jhingane 5.0 D. falcatum D. khasianum Cyperus, Acorus, Rosa, Ilex, Berberis,
Himalayacalamus asper Tsuga, Oak, Sarcococca, Lindera,
Rhododendron, Taxus, Sorbus
8. Lissedali 0.5 D. falcatum Viburnum, Daphne, Berberis, Neolitsea,
Piptanthus
9. Lama dahe 2.0 D. falcatum Mahonia, Thalictrum, Prinsepia, Ilex, Piptanthus.
10. Taule 0.05 D. falcatum Ribes, Rosa, Daphne, Tsuga, Sarcococca,
Abies.
11. Gagre - - Plantago, Rumes, Carex, Sarcococca, Clematis.
12. Dauthekhal 0.05 - Rosa, Tsuga, Oak, Piptanthus, Symplocos,
Rhododendron

Economic condition in mid-western Nepal

The land available for agriculture is decreasing. People are more inclined to depend upon
natural resources like herbs, timber, grasses, domestic and wild animals (hunting) and
bamboos. Due to increasing human population, the forest is dwindling and people have much
spare time. The adult males are very much interested to work in India as labourers whereas
older people, children, and women go to the forests to collect bamboo culms to make dokos and
dalos. One person could prepare 2-3 dokos/night. One doko costs NRS. 30 in the village, and
NRS. 50 in headquarter of the district or in town1. In one season a villager could earn as much
as NRS. 15 000 from bamboo crafts. This is a quite good earning. More opportunities should be
created to improve their earnings.

1
1US$ = Nepal Rupees 69.11

National need in Nepal: Bamboos have many different uses in Nepal. In the present context
the country needs to initiate the following activities.

1. Promotion of cultivation and production with scientific techniques.

2. Conservation of bamboo, conservation of biodiversity and environment.
3. Promotion of research on genetic improvement.
4. Solving problems of identification, distribution and local uses.
5. Conduct countrywide socioeconomic surveys.

In a country like Nepal, where bamboo species play an important role in biodiversity and
economy, a national policy should be adopted to conduct more research by public and private
agencies. The development of bamboo can uplift the declining economy of the rural people. If
bamboos can be cultivated on a very large scale without affecting its composition, it can be
used in paper industry, construction, furniture, household implements, and many others which
give good employment for rural people. Some good attempts have been made recently in this
direction.

References

Acharya, B.M. 1988. Identification of Bamboo and its uses in Pokhara Valley. Tribhuvan
University Institute of Forestry, Central Campus.
Das, A.N. 1988. Bamboo Research in Nepal. Pp. 1-5 in Bamboos, Current Research,
Proceedings of the International Workshop. (I.V.R. Rao, R. Gnanaharan, C.B. Sastry, eds.).
KFRI, Peechi, IDRC, Singapore.

Manandhar, R. 1996. Bamboo of Kathmandu Valley, their status in natural forest and economic
exploitation. A report submitted to Research Division, Rector Office, Tribhuvan University.

Paudyal, P.P. 1991. Utilization of bamboo in Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. Paper presented at
the 4th International IDRC Bamboo Workshop, Chiangmai, Thailand, 27-30 Nov.

Paudyal, P.P. 1992. Bamboos, field manual for community and private forestry in Nepal. Part II.
HMG/FAO/UNDP.

Rajbhandari, K.R. 1995. Bamboos of the Apsuwa Valley. The Makalu - Barun Conservation
Project Working Paper Publication Series Report 13.

Shrestha, T.B. 1989. Ecology for development of the Arun River Basin in Nepal. ICIMOD,
Kathmandu, Nepal.

Stapleton, C. 1994. Bamboos of Nepal. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Fig. 2. Various bamboo articles, hand made.